U.S. manufacturers added 19,000 net new workers in October, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' monthly Employment Situation report issued today. It was a good showing; it represented the manufacturing sector's biggest monthly gain since February.
However, as noted by National Association of Manufacturers Chief Economist Chad Moutray in NAM's Shopfloor blog,
"… It is clear that manufacturing job gains continue to be disappointingly slow over the past year, a reflection of the softness in the sector in the spring and summer months. Manufacturers contributed just 2.4% of all of the nonfarm payroll workers added over the past 12 months, a far cry from the nearly 9% of the workforce that they comprise. And, even in the larger economy, unemployment remains highly elevated, with net job gains still modest at best.
"For that reason, policymakers need to consider pro-growth measures that will further spur economic output and build on the job gains experienced last month. Fortunately, manufacturers remain cautiously optimistic about the fourth quarter and 2014 production and sales, and with enough momentum, perhaps the pace of expected hiring might pick up as well."
Alliance for American Manufacturing President Scott Paul had a similar take on the BLS's October manufacturing job numbers.
“Now we have a jobs report that we can cheer about, despite all the chaos in Washington last month," Paul said. "Manufacturing jobs grew at a healthy clip, and it's about time. Prior to these numbers, only 12,000 manufacturing jobs had been added all year. But there is no guarantee this momentum will continue. Congress, the President, and governors must step up and support smart public policies to spur private sector job growth."
